The top reported proficiency rate is 49% in English language arts. The lowest is 42% in Math.
Original Research by School Decision on Oakley Elem
Oakley Elem is a small elementary school serving pre-kindergarten through fourth grade in the town of Oakley, a rural county seat in northwestern Kansas. The school sits within the Oakley USD district and is one of three public schools operated by that district, alongside a middle school and high school. Because it serves only the early grades, there is no graduation rate to report, and state testing data is limited to the grades that the Kansas assessment program covers—third and fourth grade.
The school’s academic performance, measured on the Kansas Assessment Program, shows a mixed picture. In third-grade math, roughly two out of every five students scored at a proficient level or above, while in fourth-grade math the share was a bit lower, around two-fifths. English language arts results were somewhat stronger: over half of third graders met the proficiency standard, though that figure dropped to under half by fourth grade. When the school’s overall proficiency across tested subjects and grades is placed alongside other elementary schools in Logan County, it lands above the midpoint of the county’s districts. A parent may want to ask the school how it supports students who are not yet meeting the proficiency benchmark, given that a meaningful portion of students in both subjects and both grades fall short.
The student body is small and predominantly white, with a very small number of Asian, Hispanic, Native Hawaiian or Pacific Islander, and multiracial students. About two out of every five students qualify for free or reduced-price meals, a share that reflects the economic mix of the surrounding community. Data on students with disabilities and English learners was not available, so a parent with a child in either category would want to follow up directly with the school to understand what services are offered.
Oakley itself is a classic High Plains crossroads town, positioned where Interstate 70, U.S. Route 40, and U.S. Route 83 meet. The downtown is compact, with brick and concrete buildings dating from after a major fire that destroyed earlier wooden structures. The town’s population has been relatively flat to slightly declining, and new housing development is not prominent. Home values in the area are moderate compared to the state and national averages, and the typical mortgage payment for a median-priced home is manageable by national standards. The major employers include the hospital, the school district, city government, and the railroad. Civic life centers on a fossil and history museum, a cultural center, a public library, and a small municipal airport. Street life is limited, with commercial activity concentrated along the highway corridors serving interstate travelers rather than pedestrian foot traffic.
The district itself reports no recent changes that would have a lasting impact for parents—in the publicly available records, only routine directory information surfaced. That means a family moving to the area will want to get a current sense of any upcoming shifts in curriculum, staffing, or facilities directly from the school or district office.
For a family looking at Oakley Elem, the main takeaway is a small, predominantly white elementary school in a stable rural town where housing is relatively affordable. Academically, the school sits in the middle of the pack for its county, with proficiency rates that show room for growth. The early-grade focus means older siblings will need to move into the district’s middle and high schools, which are in the same town but not reflected in this school’s data. A parent concerned about the extent of academic support for students below proficiency or about services for special populations will want to talk to the school directly, as those specifics are not captured in the available state data.
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